Helluva dam
Helluva
Helluva is a private dam located in Mosby, Montana, along the TR-Boxelder Creek. Built in 1956, this earth dam stands at a height of 22 feet and has a storage capacity of 70 acre-feet. The primary purpose of Helluva is for fire protection, stock, or as a small fish pond, showcasing its importance in providing essential resources for the surrounding area.
Managed by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Helluva is regulated and inspected by the state to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," Helluva continues to serve its purpose effectively while maintaining a level of safety for the community. As an enthusiast for water resources and climate, Helluva presents an intriguing case study of a privately owned dam contributing to the local ecosystem and providing valuable water resources for various uses.
Helluva's location in Fergus County, Montana, highlights its significance in the region's water management infrastructure. With a history of serving as a reliable source for fire protection and stock watering, Helluva plays a vital role in supporting the local community. As climate change continues to impact water resources, understanding the management and maintenance of dams like Helluva becomes increasingly important for ensuring sustainable water use and resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Helluva -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri River Near Landusky Mt | 7,240 cfs | → |
| Judith River Nr Mouth | 416 cfs | → |
| Musselshell River At Mosby Mt | 80 cfs | → |
| Flatwillow Creek Near Mosby Mt | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Helluva.
Boat launches
- James Kipp Recreation Area
- James Kipp Boat Ramp
- Hideaway Recreation Area
- Homestead - Gus Nelson
- Woodhawk (Lower)
- Woodhawk (Middle)
Campgrounds
- James Kipp Recreation Area
- James Kipp
- James Kipp Recreation Area - Umrbnm
- Homestead - Edwin Wartzenluft
- Hideaway Recreation Area
- Woodhawk Recreation Area
Fishing spots
- Jakes Reservoir
- Upper Carters Pond
- Lower Hansen Reservoir
- Mccartney Creek
- Warm Spring Creek
- East Fork Cottonwood Creek
More reservoirs
Track Helluva in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Helluva
Where does the data for Helluva come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Helluva.